Riga, facing a significant drop in the number of preschool children, has announced the closure of 10 municipal kindergartens. Currently, there are over 20,000 children in preschool but more than 2,000 available spots, indicating a surplus capacity in some areas. The council has rejected collective petitions from parents to maintain 4 specific kindergartens, citing mismanagement of resources as a driving factor behind these closures.

The decision has sparked discontent among parents and opposition parties, who criticize the lack of involvement in the decision-making process regarding educational institution reorganizations. Despite the closures, the council assures that all children will be allocated spaces in nearby educational facilities. Additionally, educators from the closed kindergartens will be offered other job placements, attempting to mitigate the impact of these drastic decisions on the workforce.

This reduction in kindergartens reflects significant demographic shifts, with reports indicating up to a 50% decrease in child populations in certain neighborhoods compared to previous years. The city aims to reallocation of funds toward the remaining kindergartens, teacher salaries, and enhancing the overall educational environment rather than maintaining underutilized facilities. This move reflects a broader effort to optimize educational resources amid changing population dynamics in Riga.